Image: eflon, flickr “Sustainability is made of little changes to our lifestyle that don’t cost us anything and can save the planet,” said Stefania Prestigiacomo, Italian Environmental Minister, as she confirmed that a ban on non-biodegradable, single-use plastic bags will take effect on 1 January 2011, for all of Italy. The plastics industry protests that the rules are not clear, that the abrupt transition will have negative repercussions on consumers, and that Italy has no reason to take the initiative as there is no ban at the European level. But their argum… Read the full story on TreeHugger
Continue reading …WikiLeaks Panama: Wiretap Allegations Denied By Panama President Ricardo Martinelli
December 26, 2010 No Comment
PANAMA CITY — Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli on Saturday denied information from a leaked U.S. diplomatic cable suggesting he asked the United States to help install phone taps on his political opponents, but he acknowledged a request for help against criminals and organized crime figures. A leaked U.S. diplomatic cable from Aug. 22, 2009 quotes then-U.S. ambassador Barbara Stephenson as saying the newly elected conservative president asked for help with wiretaps soon after he took office on July 1. “He clearly made no distinction between legitimate security targets and political…
Continue reading …Ed Schultz Stumbles Into Candor, Reveals Actual Reason for Lack of GOP guests
December 26, 2010 No Comment
Ed Schultz, liberal radio host and MSNBC action hero, has a pronounced aversion to Republicans/conservatives/right wingers coming on his cable show. Why? Depends on when Schultz explains the reason. Here he was on his radio show this past Monday ( audio ) — read more
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Netanyahu’s plan consists of leasing four to six mid-sized planes, as ‘manufacturing them would take too long’
Continue reading …Stereoscopic copy-paste finally brings that clone tool into the third dimension (video)
December 26, 2010 No Comment
With the right software anybody can be photo editing guru, eliminating redeye, removing unsightly blemishes, and maybe adding an image of Godzilla lurking in the background just for fun. However, if you’ve been unlucky enough to try to do the same in 3D you know just how distinctly unsatisfying that experience can be. Maybe not for long. Thanks to NewScientist we just caught a glimpse of an October presentation made by Swiss engineers Joren van Baar and Wan-Yen Lo called “Stereoscopic 3D Copy & Paste.” It is, basically, exactly what it sounds like, tools that let you define various objects and planes on a stereoscopic image, similar to how you might grab a shape with the magic wand tool, and then duplicate it and move that shape around on both parts of the 3D photo. The software handles re-creating shadows, automatically tackling occlusion too, and while the results aren’t perfect, particularly if you’re trying to change perspective or partially occlude an object behind something that’s transparent, it certainly trumps trying to do it by hand. Check out the video below and take a moment to be thankful that you didn’t have to buy gifts for all those kids above. Continue reading Stereoscopic copy-paste finally brings that clone tool into the third dimension (video) Stereoscopic copy-paste finally brings that clone tool into the third dimension (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Dec 2010 08:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Man who heads anti-demolition campaign in eastern part of capital says will appeal decision
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Pro-Palestinian activists await at Istanbul port for ship that was raided by Israeli commandos on its way to Gaza in late may. Crowds wave Palestinian, Turkish flags; chant ‘Allah is great’
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Tour bus making its way to ancient temple slams into parked truck killing six women, two men. Driver and guide injured
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During Tel Aviv forum, Dr. Avi Simchon says immigrants from former Soviet republics came to Israel ‘for financial reasons, not to be part of Jewish nation’; he tell Ynet comments ‘distorted’
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Continue reading the main story Israel and the Palestinians Going nowhere fast? ‘Off the record’ views from officials Q&A: Resuming direct talks Mid-East talks: Where they stand Turkey’s foreign minister says he wants to repair ties with Israel, damaged when Israeli troops killed eight Turks and a Turkish-US national amid clashes on a pro-Palestinian aid ship in May….
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